Introduction to Celestial Navigation

This book focuses on Coastal and Ocean Navigation with an emphasis on celestial navigation techniques as a ‘back up’ in the event digital technologies fail.It deals with the main themes and principles of celestial navigation (including time). It covers the syllabus for deck officers working towards the Officer of the Watch (OOW) certificate of competence (COC) awarded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and for Royal Navy navigation officers working towards achieving the equivalent Navigational Watch Certificate (NWC). The NWC is equivalent to the certificate awarded by the MCA to OOWs in the Merchant Service under the international Standardisation of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) agreements. The detailed theory of celestial navigation is provided.

Introducing the Celestial Sphere.- Time Systems.- Practical Sights: Planning, Taking, Reducing and Plotting.- Observing Celestial Sights using an Artificial Horizon.- Identification of Heavenly Bodies.- Meridian Passage and Polaris.- Rising and Setting of Heavenly Bodies.- Refraction, Dip and Mirage.- Errors in Celestial Position Lines.- Sky at Night.- Understanding Celestial Sphere Terminology.- Hour Angels.- Theory of Time.

Alexander Arnfinn Olsen is an experienced and accomplished Instructional Design professional with a broad range of skills and a solid foundation in learning theory and cognitive science, able to adapt learning strategies to varied audiences.

Previous projects include the BMW Academy UK, Royal Navy and Royal Navy Reserve, Network Rail, Defence Fire and Rescue Service, and the Merchant Navy.

A Graduate of Kings College, University of Aberdeen with an MA Hons in Political Science and International Relations, Graduate of the Open University with a BSc Hons in Social Sciences and Postgraduate of the Open University with a PgCPSE in Applied Linguistics.

Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Management and Member of the Learning and Performance Institute.